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BYU guard Dawson Baker ejected for elbow to groin vs. Wisconsin

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh03/23/25griffin_mcveigh
Dawson Baker
© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

BYU is looking to break a long drought and finally break through to the Sweet Sixteen. Holding on to a 10-point lead at the under-four media timeout, a potentially huge swing has gone in favor of Wisconsin. A Flagrant 2 foul has been assessed to Dawson Baker, kicking him out of the game.

Baker was being trapped by two Wisconsin defenders and attempting to get out. While holding the ball, he did use his elbows with the presumed attempt of making space. But Baker wound up making contact with the groin with a Badgers’ player.

CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore went on to explain how there is no middle ground with this kind of play. Either no call is made or the play is upgraded to a Flagrant 2 with a technical. The officials cannot call a Flagrant 1, the determination is made by the intent of the elbows on replay.

“When you have contact to the groin area, by rule, if that contact is not ruled clearly accidental, then they have no option to go Flagrant 1,” Steratore said. “They have to go with a Flagrant 2 foul.”

Steratore went on to give his opinion of the call, saying “In this case, we do see that the player is trying to duck and trying to split the two defenders. He does lower his shoulder. It may be incidental but within lowering there, in their opinion and their judgment, they felt that was not accidental. So now, you have forcible contact to that area. They will elevate that to a Flagrant 2. Dawson Baker is ejected for that and they will have two shots. And now, Wisconsin will have the ball.”

As the explanation was ongoing, Wisconsin was able to make both of their free throws. They will get possession back and the lead has been cut to eight. A massive swing in favor of the Badgers as they attempt to pull off a big-time comeback.

Losing Baker could wind up being massive for BYU too. He will leave the court with eight points to his name, going three of five from the line. Both of his three-point attempts were missed but there are not too many players without a green light on BYU.

Holding on without a key piece of the rotation will be tough for the Cougars. But just a few minutes separate them and the Sweet Sixteen.